Thriller
at Aussie Stadium for ANZAC Day
Report from: Alison
Nolan
25/04/04
For
such a low scoring game, the huge crowd of 26,246
at Aussie Stadium certainly had their money's worth
as the Roosters narrowly defeated the Dragons by
11-8 in the traditional ANZAC Day clash between
the two sides.
A
tryless first half did not mean the game was not
full of excitement. Two sides determined not to
let the other score and two sides intent on winning
the game certainly had the game action packed from
start to finish.
With
just a half time score of 2-0 to the Roosters, the
second half was bound to see either one team or
the other break free. To the credit of both sides,
this didn't happen as the play went from end to
end with some brilliant defence and attacking on
show for the vocal crowd.
A
try to both sides in the end,with just a field goal
and a penalty the only difference in what was a
very even and entertaining top class game.
Aussie
Stadium
Crowd: 26,246
Referee: Stephen Clark
Video Referee: Chris Ward. Touch Judges: Paul Kalina,
Steve Chiddy
Scorers:
DRAGONS 8
Tries: Simmonds
Goals: Head 2/2
defeated by
ROOSTERS 11
Tries: Fittler
Goals: Walker 1/1, Crocker 2/3, Finch 1/1 (F/G)
By
the clock:
Players
backing up from the ANZAC test against the Kiwis
on Friday night. Good crowd at Aussie Stadium today
as the last post sounds for soldiers who have fallen.
0
min: Steven Clark signals time on
5th
min: NEWS - The Roosters hot on attack, Fittler
puts a little chip through which looks to have gone
too far. Cross in mid air taps the ball back into
the hands of Catic who touches the ball down. Video
ref calls for a penalty, ruling Catic was offside.
No score yet in the game
10th
min: NEWS - So far the kicking game from both sides
has been impressive. Very even match with both sides
not giving anything in defence
12th
min: NEWS - A high shot on Thompson (Dragons) by
Cussack is picked up by the video ref after being
left by the officials on the field, and a penalty
given to the Dragons. Thompson back into the game.
Still no score in this close and entertaining match
15th
min: NEWS - Crocker (Roosters) off the field injured,
meaning a reshuffle in the Roosters pack. The Dragons
guilty of ill discipline and marched 10 metres for
back chatting to ref Clark after a penalty for a
highish shot on Morley. Things are hotting up
19th
min: NEWS - The Dragons on attack put up a long
shot out wide on the fifth tackle, only to have
Cross intercept and take off. Cooper managed to
mow him down 40 metres down the track and their
defence held enough to break down the play. Possession
very even in this scoreless match
25th
min: PENALTY GOAL - Walker for Roosters. Thompson
penalised for holding down in the tackle, within
easy kicking distance for the Roosters. The deadlock
finally broken. Roosters 2-0
31st
min: NEWS - From the scrum on the Roosters 30 metre
mark, Gasnier (Dragons) sucks in the opposition
with the dummy runner and has open space in front
of him all the way to the tryline. The video ref
rules no try due to obstruction, a penalty to the
Roosters which Crocker misses. A lot of unhappy
people at Aussie Stadium. Roosters hold onto their
2-0 lead
35th
min: NEWS - Outstanding defence by both sides in
this low scoring match. A thrilling match to watch
with end to end plays
38th
min: NEWS - Finch (Roosters) bombs a certain try
after Ricketson hesitates just enough in his passing
to wrong foot the defence. Finch gets through 2
tackles close to the line but his pass to the wing
is above the heads of everyone. Roosters 2-0
HALF
TIME: A tryless first half but excitement for the
full forty minutes. Roosters hold the lead, 2-0
Kick
off in the second half of this wonderful match in
front of an awesome crowd
43rd
min: Catic (Roosters) on the bench nursing a foot
injury
44th
min: TRY - Simmonds for Dragons. A pass to Flannery
goes wrong on the Roosters 30 metres mark. The bounce
favours Simmonds and he's flying to the tryline.
Head adds the extra 2 points. Dragons 6-2
46th
min: NEWS - The game's starting to open up. Thompson
offloads brilliantly and it looks as though the
Dragons are in. Once again the defence of the Roosters
holds true
49th
min: NEWS - Jason Cayless(Roosters) off the field
with a knee injury after coming back for the first
time after 5 weeks on the sideline, very disappointing
for him
50th
min: PENALTY GOAL - Head for Dragons. From 35 metres
out, Head has no trouble putting the lead for the
Dragons out just that little bit further. Dragons
8-2
55th
min: NEWS - This game has everything. The attack,
the defence. Both sides playing great footy. The
game could go either way and both teams know it.
Dragons hold the lead, 8-2
61st
min: TRY - Fittler for Roosters. Forty metres out
from the Roosters line, Fittler busts through two
Dragons defender then puts the step on Hornby to
score under the posts. Crocker converts the easy
one. 8 all
66th
min: NEWS - The Roosters have stepped up a gear
along with the crowd. A huge bomb by Finch is missed
by all close to the Roosters line. Timmins makes
a great 'come from behind' tackle. Roosters player
penalised for passing off the ground
67th
min: NEWS - Blacklock (Dragons) close to scoring,
however the great high kick to his wing is just
out of his reach. Down the other end of the field
we go. Still locked up at 8 a piece
70th
min: NEWS - Head (Dragons) takes a shot at a field
goal and misses
70th
min: FIELD GOAL - Finch for Roosters. Quick plays
get the ball down towards the Roosters line. Finch
takes the shot and nails it. Roosters 9-8
72nd
min: PENALTY GOAL - Crocker for Roosters. Another
penalty awarded to the Roosters, this time right
out in front, 36 metres out. Crocker makes no mistake.
Roosters 11-8
76th
min: NEWS - Try as they may the Dragons can't break
through the tight Roosters defence. The crowd is
egging on both sides. An exciting finish coming
up. Roosters 11-8
FULL
TIME: A terrific game for ANZAC Day from two top
sides. Low scoring, but what an excellent entertaining
game to watch. Roosters hold on to win 11-8
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - A Morley (Roosters)
2 - L Thompson (Dragons)
1 - B Fittler (Roosters)
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